Jan

4

Wizards Put Evil Spell On Cavaliers Win 80-77

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap 

During the 11 years that I was blessed to be a radio reporter covering sports in the city of Cleveland from 1995 through 2006, the only times that I was not thoroughly pumped about covering a Cavaliers game was on those rare Sunday matinee games. My rhythm would be off during those games, it did not feel natural. Sunday afternoons are meant for the NFL, and baseball, not for hoops. I would feel the same way when the Browns played a rare Monday or Sunday night game, or the Indians had a weekday afternoon game. I am sure in your job, you have a certain way of doing things, that you have developed over the years, and if something deviates from the norm, it messes you up, right? Sunday afternoon the Cleveland Cavaliers appeared to be feeling like I used to feel as they looked out of sync for three quarters, and then fell just short in their come back attempt as they were shut down by the Washington Wizards 80-77. Antawn Jamison led the Washington attack as he recorded a double-double. For Cleveland, it was All-Star LeBron James and not much else as LBJ also was credited with a double-double, scoring a game high 30 points.

Caron Butler hit a shot at the buzzer to give the Wizards a 26-23 lead at the end of the first quarter. Washington looked like they were starting to pull away in the second, as Antawn Jamison made a bucket with 8:12 to play, putting his club on top 36-28. The Cavaliers were able to regain their composure in the remainder of the period, and had cut their deficit by half as the two teams walked into the locker rooms with the Wizards holding a 47-43 advantage. Cleveland did their best imitations of zombies in the third quarter, scoring just 11 points in the period and trailed 68-54 heading into the final period. James took over in the fourth as he drove the lane putting the ball up and in and knotted up the game at 77-77 with 1:00 to play.  Jamison hit a mid range jumper with 10 seconds left putting Washington ahead 79-77, the Cavaliers tried to tie the contest but was called for traveling. Caron Butler would then go 1-2 at the line making it an 80-77 game, LBJ unleashed a 27 foot trey attempt at the buzzer, but did not connect and Washington had the victory.

Antawn Jamison recorded a double-double, 26 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals, in the Washington win. Caron Butler added 19 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, while Dominic McGuire a second year player not known for his offensive skills, showed them Sunday as he also had a double-double 10 points, 10 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal.

LeBron James recorded a double-double, 30 points, dished off 10 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal. Mo Williams had another strong game as he scored 13 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal, while Anderson Varejao starting in place of the injured Zydrunas Ilgauskas, also was credited with a double-double, 10 points, 10 boards, 1 block, and 1 steal. Ilgauskas is out with a fracture of the left ankle, he is supposed to return in a month according to the team. I covered “Z“  for too many seasons as he was plagued by feet injuries. It looked as if all that was behind him until a few weeks ago, the Cavaliers can not afford to be without the veteran for the rest of the campaign and maintain their elite status. Washington is now 7-25, Cleveland has a 27-6 record.

© Copyright 2009 thesackattack.net


Updates, Fresh From the Oven, Straight to Your Inbox

Comments

Leave a Reply